Agnivesh demands probe into atrocities against tribals in Chhattisgarh

Social activist Swami Agnivesh today demanded a judicial inquiry into alleged police atrocities against tribal folk in some villages of Naxalism-affected Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh.

Talking to mediapersons in Jagdalpur, while en route to the villages, he said, "It is a matter of concern when protectors become annihilators."

Condemning the incident in which security personnel allegedly torched more than 200 tribal abodes in Tadmetla, Morpalli and Timapur villages under Chintalnar Police Station limits during a recent encounter with Maoists in the area, Swami Agnivesh added that the Government should protect the lives of innocent tribal folk both from the rebels and police brutality.

Swami Agnivesh, who is leading a group of civil rights activists, will make an on-the-spot assessment tomorrow. Following villagers' accusations against the personnel, the Government ordered a magisterial probe and announced compensation and relief.